Laser-based synchrotron X-ray radiation experimental scaling

High-sensitivity optical tomography of instabilities in supersonic gas flow

Characterization of gas targets relies largely on conventional optical techniques, providing millisecond time resolution, which not only overlooks the fluctuations occurring at shorter time scales but also often challenges the sensitivity limits of optical probing as their refractive index is close to unity. Hence, the ability to resolve these fluctuations needs to be addressed as it is paramount for accurate gas jet characterization for their applications, including laser-matter interaction in laser wakefield electron acceleration or plasma x ray sources. In this Letter, we introduce an advanced gas jet characterization system capable of visualizing fast density fluctuations by Schlieren imaging, combined with density characterization by interferometric tomography, both with increased sensitivity due to the four-pass probing configuration. We demonstrate that combining the two modalities provides a substantial advancement in achieving a comprehensive, both quantitative and qualitative, characterization of gas jets.

Large area ion beam sputtered dielectric ultrafast mirrors for petawatt laser beamlines

The latest advances in petawatt laser technology within the ELI Beamlines project have stimulated the development of large surface area dielectrically coated mirrors meeting all demanding requirements for guiding the compressed 30 J, 25 fs HAPLS laser beam at 10 Hz repetition rate and a center wavelength of 810 nm entirely in vacuum. We describe the production and evaluation of Ta₂O₅/HfO₂/SiO₂ ion beam sputtered coated (440 × 290 × 75) mm³ beam transport mirrors. No crazing was observed after thirty vacuum-air cycles. A laser induced damage threshold of 0.76 J/cm² (fluence on mirror surface) was achieved and maintained at high shot rates.

Multi-Lane Mirror for Broadband Applications of the Betatron X-ray Source

A new generation of small-scale ultrafast X-ray sources is rapidly emerging. Laser-driven betatron radiation represents an important class of such ultrafast X-ray sources. With the sources driving towards maturity, many important applications in material and biological sciences are expected to be carried out. While the last decade mainly focused on the optimization of the source properties, the development of such sources into user-oriented beamlines in order to explore the potential applications has recently taken off and is expected to grow rapidly. An important aspect in the realization of such beamlines will be the implementation of proper X-ray optics. Here, we present the design of a multi-lane X-ray mirror as a versatile focusing device covering a wide spectral range of betatron X-rays. The expected photon flux in the focal plane of such optics was also estimated through geometrical simulations.

Multi-pass probing for high-sensitivity tomographic interferometry

Optical probing is an indispensable tool in research and development. In fact, it has always been the most natural way for humankind to explore nature. However, objects consisting of transparent materials with a refractive index close to unity, such as low-density gas jets, are a typical example of samples that often reach the sensitivity limits of optical probing techniques. We introduce an advanced optical probing method employing multiple passes of the probe through the object to increase phase sensitivity, and relay-imaging of the object between individual passes to preserve spatial resolution. An interferometer with four-passes was set up and the concept was validated by tomographic characterization of low-density supersonic gas jets. The results show an evident increase of sensitivity, which allows for the accurate quantitation of fine features such as a shock formed by an obstacle or a barrel shock on the jet boundary in low ambient gas pressures. Despite its limitations in temporal resolution, this novel method has demonstrated an increase in phase sensitivity in transmission, however, it can also be employed to boost the absorption or polarization contrast of weakly interacting objects in both transmission and reflection setups, thus, upgrading the sensitivity of various optical characterization methods.

Betatron radiation polarization control by using an off-axis ionization injection in a laser wakefield acceleration

Tunable X-ray sources from a laser-driven wakefield have wide applications. However, due to the difficulty of electron dynamics control, currently the tunability of laser wakefield-based X-ray sources is still difficult. By using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we propose a scheme to realize controllable electron dynamics and X-ray radiation. In the scheme, a long wavelength drive pulse excites a plasma wake and an off-axis laser pulse with a short wavelength co-propagates with the drive pulse and ionizes the K-shell electrons of the background high-Z gas. The electrons can be injected in the wakefield with controllable transverse positions and residual momenta. These injected electrons experience controllable oscillations in the wake, leading to tunable radiations both in intensity and polarization.